Breakdown of K selection in 178Hf

Coulomb activation of the four quasiparticle Kpi=16+ 178Hf isomer (t1/2=31 y) has led to the measurement of a set of Elamda matrix elements coupling the isomer band to the ground band. The present data combined with earlier 178 Hf Coulomb excitation data have probed the components in the wave functions and revealed the onset and saturation of K mixing in low-K bands, whereas the mixing is negligible in the high-K bands. The implications can be applied to other quadrupole-deformed nuclei.

Coulomb excitation paths of high-K isomer bands in 178Hf

Three distinctly different mechanisms are shown to populate the K(pi)=6(+) (t(1/2)=77 ns), 16(+) (31 yr), and 8(-) (4 s) isomer bands of 178Hf by Coulomb excitation. High spin states of the three isomer bands were populated by Coulomb excitation of a hafnium target with a 650 MeV 136Xe beam. Although direct population of high-K bands is highly K-forbidden, isomer bands in 178Hf were populated up to spins 13(+)(K=6), 20(+)(K=16), and 14(-)(K=8) with in-band gamma yields of approximately 10(-4) of the ground state band. The data are consistent with a rapid increase in K mixing with increasing spin in the isomer bands.

Treatment of acute sinusitis in childhood with ceftibuten

Acute sinusitis is a common childhood illness. If it is overlooked or undertreated, suppurative and intracranial complications may develop. Amoxicillin has traditionally been the antibiotic of choice for treatment of acute sinusitis. However, the efficacy of amoxicillin has been reduced because of the emergence of bacteria producing b-lactamase and altered penicillin-binding proteins. This study compares the effectiveness of 10, 15, and 20 days of ceftibuten therapy with 14 days of erythromycin-sulfisoxazole therapy in treating acute sinusitis. The results indicate that both treatment regimens are effective in treating acute sinusitis (96% clinical response for erythromycin-sulfisoxazole vs 92% for a 10- or 15-day course of ceftibuten vs 100% for a 20-day course of ceftibuten). Longer treatment periods may be more effective in resolving the acute illness.

Venomous snake bite of a child

Venomous snake bites account for 9 to 15 deaths yearly. This is a low number considering that approximately 8,000 venomous snake bites occur each year. These deaths may be prevented by proper and timely medical treatment.

Anorexia and failure to grow associated with Epstein-Barr virus infection

The Epstein-Barr virus is a common cause of contagious disease in childhood. It may produce fever and sore throat in young children and infectious mononucleosis in teenagers and young adults. This report discusses four cases of children with anorexia and poor weight gain due to Epstein-Barr virus infection.

Manifestations of relapsing Epstein-Barr virus illness

The Epstein-Barr Virus is well known for its pattern of communicability and features of clinical disease. It is a member of the herpes virus family and may establish a latency state in infected individuals. Characteristics of latency and reactivation have been well defined for both herpes and varicella. The Epstein-Barr Virus has been shown to establish a latency state within B lymphocytes, salivary gland epithelium, and oropharyngeal epithelial cells. Reactivation of the virus from these sites could produce relapse of EBV illness. Characteristics of relapse are described in this report.

Acute accidental lithium poisoning in a child

Poisonings are the fourth most common cause of death for children. Ingestion typically involves an accessible household product, especially medicine. Lithium may be accessible to children when it is used by family members or sitters. Lithium poisoning constitutes a serious medical condition with a 25% mortality rate. This article reports the accidental lithium poisoning of a child, its harmful effects and treatment.

Intrafamilial spread of Epstein-Barr virus

Epstein-Barr (EBV) virus is a common contagious illness encountered during childhood. It is spread through oral secretions, however it has a low rate of transmission within a family. This article reports EBV illness among three children in the same family.

Efficacy of nebulized albuterol and cromolyn sulfate for acute wheezing and stridor in children: a prospective, randomized study

A number of respiratory tract illnesses may produce acute wheezing and stridor in children, and treatment may vary, depending on the specific illness. These illnesses, however, may be difficult to differentiate solely on clinical grounds. A uniform therapeutic approach for children with acute wheezing or stridor independent of the specific etiology can be employed. In this prospective study, 246 children received aerosolized albuterol and cromolyn sulfate. Children who remain in distress after aerosolized medications should be admitted to the hospital. Those with partial improvement may be treated with home aerosol treatments after intramuscular injection of dexamethasone.

Apnea of infancy associated with Epstein-Barr virus infection

The Epstein-Barr virus is one of the most common causes of communicable disease. The clinical manifestations of this virus may vary widely depending on a child's age when primary infection occurs. I describe in this report a child with apnea associated with Epstein-Barr infection.

Cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita

Cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita (CMTC) is an uncommon benign condition presenting at birth with levido reticularis, telangiectasia, phlebectasia, and possible ulceration of the involved skin. Diagnosis is made through the clinical picture and supported by characteristic histopathologic changes when present. This condition should not be confused with manifestations of serious system disease and aggressive treatment is not indicated. We describe in this report a case of CMTC.

Comparison of immunocytology to tissue culture for diagnosis of presumed herpesvirus dendritic epithelial keratitis

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to prospectively compare the sensitivity and specificity of immunodetection of herpes simplex virus (HSV) in impression cytology specimens obtained directly from presumed herpesvirus dendritic epithelial keratitis with virus isolation by tissue culture of cells scraped from the same lesion.

METHODS

Corneal impression cytology and tissue culture were performed on 29 consecutive patients presenting with presumed herpesvirus dendritic epithelial keratitis during a 6-month period. Impression cytology of dendritic epithelial keratitis lesions with Millipore Biopore membranes were evaluated for the presence of antigens specific to HSV type I (HSV-1), HSV-2, and varicella-zoster virus (VZV) using monoclonal antibodies specific to these herpesviruses and immunofluorescent staining techniques.

RESULTS

Tissue culture was positive for HSV-1 in 52% (13 of 25) of dendritic epithelial keratitis patients without skin lesions, and was negative for VZV in 4 patients with dendritic epithelial keratitis and skin lesions in the distribution of the first division of the trigeminal nerve. The remaining 12 tissue cultures showed no cytopathic effect. Compared with tissue culture, impression cytology was 100% sensitive (13 of 13) and 92% specific (11 of 12) for the diagnosis of HSV-1 dendritic epithelial keratitis (Kappa coefficient of agreement 0.92). Although our sample size for VZV dendritic epithelial keratitis was small, the impression cytology findings correlated with our clinical diagnosis more often than tissue culture (2 of 4 versus 0 of 4).

CONCLUSION

Impression cytology allows simultaneous debridement of dendritic epithelial keratitis and, when combined with immunocytologic staining procedures, provides a simpler, more rapid, and less expensive alternative to tissue culture for the diagnosis of dendritic epithelial keratitis caused by HSV or VZV.

The free amino acid pool in Leishmania tropica promastigotes

The principal constituents of the free amino acid pool in Leishmania tropica promastigotes include alanine, glycine, serine, threonine, alpha-aminobutyric acid and ethanolamine. Changes in levels of the pool constituents during starvation, nutrient supplementation and treatment with a metabolic inhibitor (sodium fluoride) were followed. Several enzymes capable of converting amino acids to Krebs cycle intermediates were identified. It is suggested that during prolonged starvation which is accompanied by enhanced proteolysis, these enzymes enable the cells to utilize endogenous amino acids as carbon and energy sources. This is compatible with previous reports that Leishmania promastigotes in culture could grow on amino acids as growth substrates when carbohydrates are totally lacking.

Evidence for a functional glyoxylate cycle in the leishmaniae

Isocitrate lyase (EC 4.1.3.1) and malate synthase (EC 4.1.3.2), the two enzymes characteristic of the glyoxylate cycle, were demonstrated in promastigotes of five species of Leishmania (L. brasiliensis, L. donovani, L. mexicana, L. tarentolae, and L. tropica). Both enzymes were present in cells grown in a medium containing 10 mM glucose. Substitution of glucose with 20 mM acetate did not enhance enzyme levels. Acetate was readily taken up and metabolized by the cells. The distribution of label from acetate into various intermediary metabolites indicates a functional glyoxylate cycle and its role in gluconeogenesis/glyconeogenesis. The glyoxylate cycle in conjunction with alanine-glyoxylate aminotransferase and glyoxylate-aspartate aminotransferase could also be important in providing glyoxylate, the precursor for glycine biosynthesis.

Enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism in four human species of Leishmania: a comparative survey

The occurrence and levels of activity of various enzymes of carbohydrate catabolism in culture forms (promastigotes) of 4 human species of Leishmania (L. brasiliensis, L. donovani, L. mexicana, and L. tropica) were compared. These organisms possess enzymes of the Embden-Meyerhof pathway but lack lactate dehydrogenase. No evidence could be found for the production of lactic acid by growing cultures and lactic acid could not be detected either in cell-free preparations or after incubation of cell-free extracts with pyruvate and NADH under appropriate conditions. All 4 species possess alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase and alpha-glycerophosphate phosphatase which together could regenerate NAD, thus compensating for the absence of lactate dehydrogenase. The oxidative and nonoxidative reactions of the hexose monophosphate pathway are present in all 4 species. Cell-free extracts have pyruvate dehydrogenase activity which allows the entry of pyruvate into and its subsequent oxidation through the tricarboxylic acid cycle. All enzymes of this cycle, including a thiamine pyrophosphate dependent alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, are present. Both NAD and NADP-linked malate dehydrogenase activities are present. The isocitrate dehydrogenase is NADP specific. There is an active glutamate dehydrogenase which could compete with alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase for the common substrate (alpha-ketoglutarate). Replenishment of C4 acids is accomplished by heterotrophic CO2 fixation catalyzed by pyruvate carboxylase. All 4 species have high levels of NADH oxidase activity. Several enzymes thus far not found in any species of Leishmania have been demonstrated. These are: phosphoglucose isomerase, triose phosphate isomerase, fructose-1, 6-diphosphatase, 3-phosphoglycerate kinase, enolase, alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase, alpha-glycerophosphate phosphatase, pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, citrate synthase, aconitase, alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, glutamate dehydrogenase, and NADH oxidase.